About Planet Youth Calgary

Planet Youth is a community-focused youth initiative led by the United Way of Calgary and Area. Together with local partners and research-backed data, we support the well-being and resilience of young people within our city, helping them live their best life.

Planet Youth Calgary is adapted from the Icelandic Prevention Model, recognized for its proven ability to improve youth mental health and lead to better future life outcomes. At its core, Planet Youth shows up to support youth and prevent challenges before they arise through systemic change. We bring youth voices into the conversation to embrace their perspectives and offer customized solutions that address the root causes of their challenges and answer their specific needs.

Join us to create a better tomorrow for our youth and families. There are many ways to be involved with Planet Youth Calgary. We welcome young people, families, caregivers and other community members to volunteer for events and activities. If you’d like to have a voice in decision making and implementation of our initiative, we also welcome you to join one of our Community Action Teams.

If you’re interested in learning more about getting involved, contact us at planet.youth@calgaryunitedway.org. If you would like updates on our progress, you can also sign up for our newsletter or follow us on Facebook or Instagram.

Donate

Our Approach

Planet Youth Calgary is an evidence-based approach built on more than 20 years of research from a successful youth substance misuse reduction model from Iceland, while incorporating a local lens that focuses on the specific needs of Calgary youth.

In 1998, Iceland had the highest youth substance rates in Europe; today, they are among the lowest in the world with the Icelandic Prevention Model now used in 16 different countries worldwide.

Our approach is underpinned by local data gathered from the Planet Youth Survey, where actual youth voices from Calgary schools inform us about how we can best support them. Understanding the ways our youth want to be supported means we can create positive change through community, changing the world young people live in.

Indigenous Parallel

Planet Youth Calgary’s Indigenous Parallel focuses on centering the voices and experiences of Indigenous youth in our city. We are proud to be one of the first Planet Youth sites to implement a parallel approach for supporting Indigenous young people.

As part of this parallel initiative, Planet Youth Calgary works with Miskanawah Community Services Association, Indigenous Elders, Knowledge Keepers, community members, and Indigenous young people themselves, to develop community supports that are informed by Indigenous voices and ways of doing.

Communities

Planet Youth Calgary has launched in the following pilot communities:

Thorncliffe / Huntington Hills (NW)	Saddle Ridge (NE)
Forest Lawn (SE)	Shawnessy (SW)
Indigenous Parallel - City Wide

Interested in getting involved? Contact us

Partners

Planet Youth Calgary is fueled by partnership.

This includes early partnership by 35 community-serving organizations, and a strong partnership with the city, our local school boards and the University of Calgary. We are leveraging the unique strengths of each partner and applying them to best meet our youth’s needs.

Implementation Partners

YMCA Calgary
Trellis Society
Miskanawah Community Services Association
United Way of Calgary and Area
The University of Calgary

Donors & Investors

We are incredibly grateful for all the donors and corporations that stand united with us to pilot, launch, and scale this long-term initiative that will positively impact Calgary youth and upcoming generations in our city.

A special acknowledgement goes to our Founding Investors for their transformational, multi-year commitments. Their investments are the catalyst, shaping the future of the city and creating a long lasting and multigenerational impact.

Founding Investors

Sharon Siebens
Hugh & Laureen Borgland
John & Sheilagh Langille
Alvin and Mona Libin Foundation
Gina & Tim McKay
Mike & Sue Rose
Vera A. Ross
An Anonymous Donor
ARC Resources Ltd.
RBC Foundation
Tourmaline Oil Corp.

Supporting Investors

Brenneman Family Fund via Calgary Foundation
Michael & Heather Culbert & Family
Kanovsky Family Foundation
Michele & Bob Michaleski
Janet Soles & Rod Sobchishin
Viewpoint Foundation
Andrew & Nancy Wiswell
An Anonymous Donor
AltaGas Ltd.
Pembina Pipeline Corporation*
*on behalf of Bob Michaleski

Together, we are creating a better tomorrow for young Calgarians.

Support Planet Youth

We are at the beginning of something big, but we need support to realize our full potential. An investment in the success and wellbeing of youth is an investment in our city’s future–together, stronger families, stronger communities and, eventually, a stronger society.

Funds raised-to-date for Planet Youth Calgary have been allocated to developing program infrastructure, engaging specialists and growing partnerships. A commitment to our future through Planet Youth Calgary will help action our findings and effect long-term, sustainable change. Working together, we can realize this powerful vision and create a legacy to improve lives for generations to come.

Join us to create a better tomorrow for our youth and families.